Always Hungry?

[Damaclese]

I am a 25 year old male, and it seems like I'm always hungry. I mean that I can eat a large meal and be absolutly stuffed, but an hour later I'm starving again. All this started a few months ago and it's really bothering me. I have Crohn's Disease, but I don't think it's that since Crohn's is intestinal and that I've had Crohn's longer that my newest problem. Any ideas?

[NatalieB]

If you are always hungry and eating alot, do you gain weight, do you maintain your weight, or have you been losing weight? With Crohn's disease, you have chronic inflammation of the GI tract.  It is possible that your GI tract is so inflammed that you are not able to absorb nutrients from what you are eating...essentially that your cells are starving.  However, neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors have more to do with "feeling full" and "feeling hungry".  The good news is you do feel both, so it seems your neurotransmitters and receptors are working okay.  I work with patients who have Crohn's Disease, IBS, colitis, etc. and our goal is to improve digestion, absorption and elimination through enzyme therapy.  I believe this would be beneficial to you. We work with numerous physicians around the world, I can refer one to you if you want.

[Dok]

Begin by keeping a diet diary.

Record the type, amount, and time of food consumption. Also include your subjective perceptions about how you feel after each meal and when you feel hungry again. You may discover why you feel hungry in the process of keeping this diary. Undoubtedly, keeping a diet diary will be an invaluable aid to doctors, nutiritionists, etc. when you do see a professional.

Keep in mind that certain foods give a blood sugar spike immediatley after consumption (e.g., carbohydrates), while other foods (e.g., proteins) produce a slow blood sugar spike that leaves you feeling satisfied longer.